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James Gunn Talks Guardians of the Galaxy; Input From Joss Whedon; Inspired by DnA

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August 1st sees James Gunn take the Marvel Cinematic Universe out into the far reaches of space with the Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

Speaking in the latest issue of Total Film Magazine, Gunn compares the Guardians of the Galaxy to the Rolling Stones and talks about getting onboard with Marvel Studios and the process involved as well as being in part inspired by the comic books.

Interestingly enough, it was The Avengers director Joss Whedon who offered some input on Gunn's first draft of the screenplay.

"No, no in fact," Gunn replied in regards to Marvel not minding about including the twisted humor he is known for. "It's a 100 percent true story that when I turned in my first draft they were really happy with the screenplay - which of course I was overjoyed with - and the only comment they had, which was basically from Joss [Whedon], was they wanted it to be 'more James Gunn.' So that's what I did... I said, 'It's your funeral!'"

Regarding being inspired by the comics, Gunn mentions Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel comic book writers who penned the series from 2008-2010 and visited the set with Gunn as well.

"Yeah, definitely," Gunn said about being influenced by comic book storylines. "Abnett and Lanning's series from 2008 and the stuff after that is really the lynchpin for the movie. But I think it's a less about taking actual story-points and more about what is the essence and feeling of that series."